Recreation

With ample room for parking and the potential to connect to existing trail systems in Great Barrington, the riverfront portion of the site can develop into a valuable community resource for community access to the river, open space and recreational opportunities. This public park will provide walking paths, restored meadows, wetlands, forests of native plants, recreational areas such as picnic sites, canoe launches and play areas, gathering places and environmental education opportunities for residents and visitors to the region. The establishment of the Fair Ground Arboretum will serve the southern Berkshires/tri-state region as a living museum of native flora, an accessible, managed, community forest with easy and safe access for families. It will include a greenhouse for propagation and demonstration areas. This will provide a central location for schools to pool resources for environmental education. Reuse of the stables and other areas in the service of animal-care educational programs is also under consideration.